sugar as a shrub killer

QuestionQUESTION: i am trying to get rid of a trumpet vine. my landscaper wanted to use roundup but i have outdoor cats and did not feel safe using it, so i searched the internet. i found an article that

squash bugs

QuestionHow can I rid my squash bugs without using harsh chemicals? I sparay with soapy water, but it doesnt do the trick. AnswerI was not familiar with the squash bug but I researched on the internet and fou

rosemary

QuestionIll give a little history. Several years ago I purchased a charlie brown rosemary. For maybe 3 yrs I didnt notice its existence amidst all the lavender. Then one rainy season, all the lavender died. The foll

soil

QuestionHi I recently had my soil tested by the local state college. Everything was either optimum or over!! My question is, what do you think of using just liquid seaweed and fish emulsion for the crops and plantin

seaweed, insect control

QuestionHi. 1. I heard about using fresh seaweed for fertilizing- can i use it for perennials and evergreens in my garden? can i put it as mulch in fall or how early in spring? how often to reappl

spring flowering bulbs

QuestionSeveral of my spring flowering bulbs have sprouted now in early September. We live in zone 5, but close to zone 4. This summer was cooler than normal and we have had significantly more rain this

organic garden

QuestionI had a soil analysis done and everything was optimum or better! Wow! Anyway, Id like to know if just using liqiud seaweed and fish emulsion next year is going to be enough or should I add anything else. Al

acorn Squash in container

QuestionHi, I have bought some small acorn plants and want to try my hand at them. I am a beginner. But unfortunately I am not able to plant them in the ground. I will need to put them in a large pot. I

How to cultivate Chia (Salba)?

QuestionHi, It seems that the Salba grain can only grow in Peru? Is there any possibility at all that we can grow it elsewhere like upper Maine? AnswerDear Daniel: Chia抯 native range extends through the coastal a

loofah squash

QuestionA friend gave a loofah squash plant this spring and it has several large squashes on it.Ive never raised one of these before and my question is when and how to harvest it to get the loofah sponge out of it.

rabbit manure

QuestionI had someone tell me that rabbit manure is safe to put on all garden plants and tomatoes especially like it. Is this a good idea? What about horse and chicken manure? AnswerHi ... all kinds of manures are

Organic control of snails & aphids

QuestionWhat can be done to control (i.e., kill, and as painfully as possible) snails and aphids quickly, inexpensively, & organically? Last year, when I had an abundance of Habaneros I ran the excess pepper

ant on plants

QuestionI just bought 3 Petunias, 1 Dahlia and a Potato plant(in an diffrent area) on 9/28/08 and I had a butterfly feeder with suger water and cantalope leaning against my flag pole. Well ants found it and are all

interviewing an expert (pillbugs)

QuestionIm a student doing research on pillbugs for a project. i have included four questions. Do pillbugs eat anything other the dead plants and wood? Do they have any other defenses besides their armor? What does

Tomato

QuestionI live in LasVegas Nevada its getting chilly now I bought a Tomato plant about a month or two ago and aboute 2-3 weeks ago the plants health began to decreace I wrote another person inbetween those 1-3

Winterizing 1st year rhubarb in garden.

QuestionI have planted a rhubarb earlier this year in spring. It now is full of leaves. We had a freeze point this last week but it was just a few degrees under. What do I need to do to ensure that

Vegetable Gardens

QuestionI have started a vegetable this year and I live in southwest Ga. I have a ton of tomatoes that are green is it too late for these tomatoes or should I cut them down and plant something else? AnswerHeidi ...

Asparagus

QuestionI started growing Asparagus 2 years ago. I havent harvested any spears yet, but am anxiously looking forward to in 2009. Should I cut down my existing Aspargus plants (Ferns) for the Winter or simply l

organic gardening book

QuestionMy daughter-in-law who lives in northwest Arkansas would like a organic gardening book for Christmas. What would be your recommendation? AnswerHi ... the organic guru in Texas is Howard Garrett.  

Raised beds for blueberries and raspberries

QuestionI recently built a raised bed for Misty blueberries and 2 raised beds for Heritage Red Raspberries. Because of the SC clay soil and a higher pH, I incorporated aged horse manure, woods dirt, and old pi